The Department of Correctional Services in the Eastern Cape says the situation at St Albans prison in Port Elizabeth “is under control.”
That’s the word from Provincial Commissioner, Nkosinathi Breakfast, who spoke to Algoa FM News from St Albans prison late Saturday afternoon.
He said a group of prisoners were not taking meals adding that it was “not a hunger strike.”
Commissioner Breakfast said that prisoners who go on hunger strike have to declare so in writing. He said a group of prisoners at maximum security have decided not to take meals from prison authorities.
He said however that they had stocked up on their own food in their unit.
Commissioner Breakfast said that earlier on Saturday a group of prisoners had barricaded themselves in one of the units, but he said by noon officials were able to open the prison unit without incident.
He said they would be monitoring overnight which of the prisoners in the prison unit are taking meals or not.
Last week three inmates were killed in clashes between inmates and Correctional Services officials which was sparked by the stabbing of a prison warder.
Police are investigating cases of murder and attempted murder in connection with the violent prison fight.
